Toast Vs Square – Which Restaurant POS is Better?

Hey there,

If you were wondering, “Toast Vs Square – Which Restaurant POS is Better?” You are in the right place.

As a restaurant consultant with years of experience, I know the importance of finding the right POS system for your business.

It can make or break your efficiency, customer service, and, ultimately, your bottom line. I’ve compiled this in-depth guide comparing Toast and Square, two of the most popular POS systems.

I aim to help you make an informed decision and provide some insights from my experience.

But before we dive into the nitty-gritty details of Toast Vs Square, let me introduce you to Mstar POS, a fantastic system I discovered after years of trial and error with various POS solutions.

Mstar POS has been a game changer for my business, and I’ll be relating my examples to it throughout this article to show you just how powerful the right POS system can be.

So, let’s get started.

Toast Vs Square: The Overview

Toast and Square are cloud-based POS systems designed specifically for the food service industry. They both offer a suite of features to help streamline your operations and improve the overall dining experience for your customers.

Toast was founded in 2011 and has been tailored for full-service restaurants, quick-service eateries, and bars. It offers online ordering, inventory management, and customer relationship management tools.

On the other hand, Square was launched in 2009 and started as a mobile payment platform. Over the years, its offerings expanded to include a complete POS system with features suitable for various businesses, including restaurants.

Toast vs Square – Pricing

When comparing Toast Vs Square, pricing is an essential factor to consider. Both systems have different pricing structures, so let’s look at each.

Toast

Toast offers a tiered pricing structure, with packages starting at $0 per month for their basic software plan. However, this plan has limited features and is best suited for smaller businesses.

To access more advanced features, you’ll need to upgrade to their higher-tier plans, which range from $75 to $150 per month, depending on your desired features.

Square

Square, on the other hand, has a more straightforward pricing model. Its basic POS system is free, but for restaurants, you’ll need the Square for Restaurants plan, which starts at $0 per month for the basic software and goes up to $60 per month for the Plus plan. However, you’ll also need to pay a processing fee of 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction.

In terms of pricing, Square might seem more affordable at first glance, but you’ll need to consider the transaction fees and whether they will add up over time.

Toast vs Square – Hardware and Compatibility

Both Toast and Square offer a range of hardware options that can be customized to suit your restaurant’s needs. Toast has a line of proprietary hardware, including touchscreen terminals, handheld devices, and kitchen display systems.

On the downside, Toast’s hardware is only compatible with its software, meaning you can’t use it with other POS systems.

Square offers a more flexible approach, allowing you to use their software on iPads and various third-party hardware options. This can be more cost effective for businesses with the hardware they want to keep using.

Comparing Toast Vs Square on hardware compatibility, I found that Mstar POS offered the best of both worlds. It is compatible with various third-party hardware and integrates seamlessly with my existing equipment.

Key Features – Toast Vs Square

When comparing Toast Vs Square, it’s important to consider the specific features that each system offers to help you manage your restaurant.

Toast

Toast’s features are designed specifically for the restaurant industry, including table management, menu management, online ordering, delivery management, inventory tracking, and employee management. The system also integrates with various third-party apps, allowing you to expand its functionality.

Square

Square also offers a range of features that cater to the restaurant industry, such as menu management, table management, and online ordering. However, since it’s not solely focused on restaurants, some of its features may not be as specialized as those offered by Toast.

That said, Square’s open API allows easy integration with other software, which can help you customize the system to suit your needs better.

Now, let me tell you how Mstar POS stacks up regarding features. Mstar POS offers a comprehensive suite of restaurant-specific features, such as table and menu management, online ordering, delivery management, and inventory tracking.

It also includes advanced employee management tools and integrates with various third-party applications, making it a versatile and robust option for restaurant owners.

Customer Support – Toast VS Square

Excellent customer support is crucial when choosing a POS system. After all, if you encounter issues, you need prompt assistance to keep your restaurant running smoothly.

Toast

Toast offers 24/7 customer support via phone, email, live chat, and a comprehensive online help center with articles and video tutorials. They also provide on-site installation and training for an additional fee.

Square 

Square’s customer support is available through phone, email, and live chat from 6 AM to 6 PM PT, Monday through Friday. They also offer a help center with articles, videos, and community forums. However, their support hours are more limited compared to Toast.

When I switched to Mstar POS, I found their customer support exceptional. They offer 24/7 phone, email, and live chat support, and their team is always responsive and knowledgeable. I’ve never had to wait long for a resolution, and their commitment to helping me succeed has been invaluable.

Final Verdict: Toast Vs Square

So, which restaurant POS is better: Toast or Square? The answer ultimately depends on your specific needs and priorities. Toast offers more specialized features for the restaurant industry, while Square’s versatility and affordability might appeal to smaller businesses or those with diverse needs.

For me, though, the clear winner is Mstar POS. It combines the best of both Toast and Square with restaurant-specific features, flexible hardware compatibility, and exceptional customer support.

Mstar POS has helped me streamline operations, improve customer satisfaction, and grow my business.

I hope this in-depth comparison of Toast Vs Square has given you the information you need to make an informed decision. Remember, the right POS system can be a game-changer for your restaurant, so take the time to consider your options and choose the one that best suits your needs.

Good luck, and happy restaurant-ing!

Jeff Smith is a Restaurant Consultant with over 20 years of hospitality experience ranging from server to owner and general manager.  He focuses on Restaurant POS technology as well as restaurant marketing.  Check out our world-famous restaurant resources page for a comprehensive offering of hand-picked resources and tools to help your business.  You can also check out some of our other restaurant business articles.